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Passing

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:54 pm
by MadArchitect
I thought I'd throw this one your way, since it's a really good, quick read and it offers up a topic that ought to be worth plenty of discussion.I just recently finished reading Nella Larsen's novel "Passing". The plot concerns two black women in America in the late 1920s, a period in which the African-American community made great cultural strides even as it wrangled with the divided attitude of white America. The two protagonists share a common feature -- fair skin -- that makes it possible for both to "pass" -- that is, to live as white women. Clare passes, marrying a wealthy white man who has no idea of her racial background; Irene passes only in convenient social situations, and has maintained strong ties to the black community. But passing is a dangerous game.I'm hoping some of you will feel inclined to give this one a read so we can discuss it. It's short -- only about 150 pages -- and immanently readable, and I think you'll find it well worth the time it takes to devour it up.